Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The situation surrounding Choi Junho was changing at breakneck speed. Watching it slip from his grasp and run wild, Jung Juho covered his face with his hands and groaned.

“So in the end, I can’t stop it.”

It had started with the higher-ups naming Choi Junho directly, then the discovery of Brainwashing, and now even America’s interest. By now, the other major guilds—and other countries too—would be scrambling to analyze this new big fish called the Head Breaker.

Honestly speaking, Choi Junho was too big a fish for the National Guard Bureau to land.

Even if Jung Juho personally looked after him, the treatment he got was pathetic compared to his abilities.

His skill was almost certainly Level 8, and he was in his twenties—young, almost too young—which made it clear just how bright his future was. Wherever in the world he went, he was an attractive commodity who could command the best treatment.

If it were up to Jung Juho, he would have tied him down tight, but as nothing more than the director of a single government department, he had no means of forcing him.

“But that kid is dangerous.”

The problem was that Choi Junho was a dangerous individual.

He was a public service Hunter belonging to the Villain Task Force, yet sometimes he felt more dangerous than a villain.

What was fortunate was that he wasn’t someone who pursued wealth, honor, or power. But the problem was his brutal methods and chilling ideas—things that would have been more than enough to erase all those merits.

Could the world really accept that?

And if a clash with those in power, or with the public, ever occurred?

All those brilliant possibilities would become a darkness descending upon the world.

Honestly speaking, he seemed crazier than Berserker.

The only reason Jung Juho didn’t say such harsh words out loud was because the man was under his command.

He had struggled in every way to keep the situation around Choi Junho from spiraling violently out of control, but it had now reached a level he could no longer stop.

“I never thought I, a man who doesn’t believe in God, would end up praying to Him.”

Please, let the world be able to accept that monster.

Rather than worrying about Choi Junho, Jung Juho worried about the world that would be left defenselessly exposed to him.

Knock knock knock!

“Come in.”

The subordinate who entered bowed his head and gave his report.

“They say the necessary information is ready.”

“Already? What’s the condition of the villains?”

“That’s, well…”

“Speak clearly.”

“They’ve all ended up in the same state as Team Leader Wang. One of them shouted that he’d talk, but he was speaking in Chinese, so… we were too late. I’m sorry.”

“Ha. Unbelievable.”

The fact that he’d even thought they might be fine after being hit with Brainwashing was strange in itself.

The most terrifying thing about Choi Junho was that he showed not a shred of mercy toward those classified as “evil.”

“And one more order came down from above.”

“What order?”

“They want a report on the process—specifically, how the information was extracted…”

“So Choi Junho’s true nature has been exposed, it seems.”

Was this Yeom Gicheol’s doing? He had teased Jung Juho quite a bit about being married. But they were both married men, so couldn’t he have taken it as self-deprecation? Petty bastard.

When Jung Juho immediately called to protest, Yeom Gicheol jumped.

—It wasn’t me!

“Really?”

—If anything, I’m the one who tried to keep it secure. I was going to hide him away tight and milk him a few more times, damn it.

The call ended just like that.

It wasn’t certain that Yeom Gicheol was the culprit. Choi Junho had stirred things up in so many places, after all.

And expecting perfect security after all that was perhaps asking for too much.

Realizing that the situation was racing toward its end, Jung Juho’s expression twisted.

* * *

Movements in response to Berserker and the Puppeteer’s contact were now becoming visible in earnest. When asked about the Shinseong Guild’s stance, the answer was similar.

“There’s already discussion going on inside the guild too. Reducing the number of hunts affects the guild’s revenue, after all.”

What Yunhee spoke of was economic logic.

The monster’s hearts and byproducts that Shinseong Guild Hunters brought back were dispersed to workshops and factories across the country, reprocessed, and reborn as high-value goods.

A decrease in hunts meant a slowdown in related industries, which led to falling revenue for the group itself and a dampening of market vitality. The term “economic recession” was a magic word that could overcome any regulation, no matter what disaster or calamity struck.

In times like these, a large-scale villain sweep wouldn’t be bad either.

I know the villains, and the villains know it too—they’ve got quite a lot of hearts and byproducts stashed away from hunting monsters on the side.

“Do you think it’s serious enough to reduce hunts, oppa?”

“Two troublesome villains have joined forces, so yes, it’s dangerous. But if you’re scared of villains, you can’t hunt at all.”

“I think the same way. I’m finally earning my keep these days, and suddenly this happens—it’s so frustrating I could die. I never really paid attention to government policy before, but why are there so many restrictions? It’s annoying! Ah! That’s not me saying I have complaints about the National Guard Bureau, though.”

“The government’s always like that.”

The organizations handling the actual work—the National Guard Bureau and others—moved swiftly. But the people above them, the ones with their feet in politics, were inefficiency incarnate.

Politicians are best periodically flushed out. If I could just wipe out all the humans on the list in the ledgers, things would be so much more comfortable.

“Our side probably has too many dependents, so unless there’s enforcement, I don’t think hunts will be reduced.”

“Then you’ll be hunting actively too.”

“Probably? I’m on a roll these days, after all!”

“The moment you feel confident is the most dangerous. Always be careful.”

When hunting monsters, a hundred layers of caution aren’t enough. Accidents happen when you hold back your reserves and don’t go all out in front of a monster.

“I don’t do that when I hunt, so don’t worry.”

“And the Puppeteer is said to take interest in talented Hunters, so be careful.”

“So if the Puppeteer picks you, that means you’re talented?”

“Is that a good thing?”

Who on earth did she take after, being this reckless? At my scolding, Yunhee instead spoke with confidence.

“It still means you were chosen, doesn’t it? Of course, if you see him, you run immediately.”

“Has the Shinseong Guild given you any warnings about the Puppeteer?”

“The Puppeteer’s identity has never been revealed, and he handles multiple puppets with different purposes—that’s all. Ah! They said that a while ago he secured the corpse of Level 7 Jung Haesol, so if you see him, run immediately. Even if you kill him, it’s just a puppet anyway, so there’s no real damage.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

Even I, back when I was the Blood Lord, had never encountered the Puppeteer, so it was hard to give advice.

One thing was certain: no one who hides behind the scenes is ever decent. That said, it wasn’t as if those who stepped forward were decent either.

In the end, it meant they were all people who needed to die.

“When you go out, wear the bracelet. If anything dangerous happens, contact me immediately.”

“You’re so overbearing. Okay, fine, I will.”

“Keep it in mind. Even if I help you, when things get dangerous, what you have to rely on is your own skill. Until I arrive, use any means necessary to hold out.”

“Got it.”

Yunhee nodded, no longer joking around.

* * *

While the plan to capture Berserker and the Puppeteer was being drawn up and each department was selecting their forces, an unexpected guest visited the National Guard Bureau.

“How delightful to see the futures who will illuminate South Korea gathered like this. I am Kim Younghwan.”

A stern impression, eyes sharp as a snake’s. An old man with a gaunt frame.

Just looking at his appearance, one might take him for a somewhat cranky old man, but the weight his name carried was anything but light.

Honorary Minister Kim Younghwan.

His other name: Red Snake.

Known for his peculiar tenacity and ruthlessness—once he chose a target, he would inevitably draw blood. A man whose notoriety among villains and major guilds was legendary in his youth, he was the only Level 8 transcendent belonging to the government.

Upon hearing of Kim Younghwan’s visit, Jung Juho burst out of the Director’s office and bowed deeply.

“Welcome, Minister. I didn’t expect you to come in person. It’s an honor to have you here.”

“It’s been a while, Juho. Have you been well?”

“Yes. I’ve been well.”

“I came because I have instructions regarding modifications to this operation. I hear the National Guard Bureau has been performing well lately? After stubbornly insisting for so long, it seems you’ve finally learned how to produce results.”

“Please, come inside.”

Guided in, Kim Younghwan looked around the Director’s office and spoke.

“Isn’t it about time you reached Level 8? You’ve lingered there quite a while, haven’t you? You should succeed me.”

“Haha, that stage isn’t easy. These days I’ve half given up.”

“A shame, but knowing your own place is important too. I see you’ve chosen to know your place.”

“There are many people who go wild without knowing their place. Wouldn’t it be good to have at least one person who knows his?”

“Judging by that silver tongue, it seems you haven’t given up hope yet.”

Jung Juho pretended not to hear and didn’t respond, then recalled what Kim Younghwan had said earlier and asked cautiously.

“You said there were modifications to the operation…”

“I’ve thought of a better plan. An efficient method to capture Berserker and the Puppeteer simultaneously.”

“…”

Seeing that parched smile, Jung Juho felt a chill run down his spine. He realized that in Kim Younghwan’s thinking, there was no such thing as minimizing damage—only “efficiency.”

Kim Younghwan was the embodiment of living power. A coldhearted man who wouldn’t blink an eye at sacrificing others to seize more power.

In fact, ten years ago, in an operation Kim Younghwan personally commanded, over a hundred public service Hunters were killed or wounded.

It was an operation that could have drastically reduced casualties if more time had been taken and more caution exercised. But it fell apart because of Kim Younghwan’s insistence on producing results by the end of the second half of the year.

Given that track record, the modification he was bringing was dangerous.

Whether or not he knew what Jung Juho was thinking, Kim Younghwan showed that parched smile.

“There’s a rather famous name going around these days. Head Breaker, was it?”

“Yes? Yes. He’s a junior who still has a long way to go.”

“Well, I can at least offer a word of encouragement to a junior.”

Jung Juho, unable to take that in a positive sense, hardened his expression.

“First, let’s discuss the operational plan. I’d like to speak to everyone, so gather them in one place.”

“Understood.”

Feeling a sense of foreboding, Jung Juho called the National Guard Bureau Hunters into the conference room.

* * *

The ugliness of greed.

That was the image of Kim Younghwan I saw.

At seventy this year, an age when he should be thinking about retirement, he was vigorously active under the title of Honorary Minister, sparing no effort to wield his influence.

Though his prime had long passed, the government couldn’t recommend retirement because he was the only transcendent belonging to the government.

No—at this point, it would be more accurate to say Kim Younghwan was obstructing the emergence of new transcendents.

In the future, Kim Younghwan would keep clinging to the front lines for another ten years before finally stepping down at the age of eighty.

He was an old man who meticulously placed himself where the spotlight shone and secured results no matter what sacrifices it took. Even at seventy, his womanizing was considerable.

An old man like that wouldn’t just let Jung Dahyun pass by.

“Hehe, have you been well? You’ve gotten prettier.”

“…Yes.”

“You’ve improved a great deal. But it’s about time you hit a wall. Working hard and making effort is important, but this is the time when selection and focus matter.”

Under that sticky, snake-like gaze, Jung Dahyun flinched. The old man was running wild as he pleased, unaware of just how repulsive he was.

“Come visit me sometime. Cultivating talent like yours is a hobby of this old man too.”

“Thank you.”

“Minister. About the modified operation…”

Unable to watch the lecherous behavior any longer, Jung Juho cut in.

“This operation isn’t bad either, but it’s uncertain whether we can reliably capture the two. So I intend to revise and command it myself. If you follow my plan, we’ll capture not only Berserker but the Puppeteer as well.”

At the voice full of conviction, unease spread across everyone’s faces.

As far as I knew, this old man’s command ability was below average.

“First, since we have superior numbers, we’ll establish a massive encirclement and have our elite forces take the lead, pouring down overwhelming firepower.”

Kim Younghwan explained the revised operation in a confident voice. He was certain they could capture Berserker and the Puppeteer, but the faces of those listening were not bright.

He would split the elite forces in half to deal with the two, and at the decisive moment, Kim Younghwan would step in to hunt Berserker, then ride that momentum to capture the Puppeteer.

It sounded plausible, but in the end, it meant using public service Hunters as disposable pawns to drain the villains’ strength, then hogging all the credit for himself.

Jung Juho pointed that out.

“The casualties will be greater.”

“The moment those two villains joined forces, casualties became unavoidable. Even if there’s some damage, we must capture them decisively while we can.”

Sounds like he just wants to stuff his own belly with all the credit.

Casualties happening is unavoidable, but if you peel away the wrapping, it meant: sacrifice yourselves to drain their strength so I can finish them.

Is being that shameless also a kind of talent? Honestly, I’m not shameless enough to do that even if ordered.

I’d rather just step up and snap their necks myself.

“There may be sacrifices among you. But don’t worry. I stake my name on it—I’ll send those two to hell.”

“…”

At that brazenness beyond imagination, I couldn’t hold back my admiration.

“That bullshit is a work of art.”